unSeminary // stuff you wish they taught in seminary.

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IntroductionThroughout the Christian calendar there are days that it seems like the community is more likely to acceptan invitation to come to church. For our church it's Christmas and Easter ... but what about those "other"holy days? You know ... the one's that our culture (and greeting card companies) have made superimportant for people to celebrate. Does your church do something special for Mom's on Mother's Day?Do you serve bacon ice cream Sundae's on Father's Day? We surveyed 80 churches from across thecountry and asked them to rate how "big of a deal" they make these sorts of days. We also ask them togive us some ideas of what they do to celebrate these days. We compiled all these findings into this ebookthat gives you a glimpse into some ideas that you might apply at your church.

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Father’s DayFather's day is huge for us! We haveFather Fest. We have a bacon bar onsunday morning, after church we havegames where dad's can compete, we grillsteaks for dad's and everyone else canhave hotdogs and burgers. We start a newseries that focuses on what it takes to be abiblical man, ManCard this year. ­Justin Banks, Audacity Church

We always have a targeted message onFather’s Day. Each campus celebrates inunique ways. My favorite is that this yearone campus is holding "Bacon Fest" for Father's Day with a breakfast before service and a lunchafterwards incorporating bacon in every dish. ­ Kristy Rutter, The Chapel

Father's Day...we call it DadFest around Willow and use it as an evangelistic outreach to getdads who don't normally attend church to come; it used to be one of our least attended servicesof the year and now it is the biggest behind Easter and Christmas; we hold a grilling competitionand dads can eat free; we have guest speakers (past speakers include Devon Hester, JohnnyKnox, Mike Singletary; this year we're having comedian Michael Jr. and Paul Teutul Jr. fromAmerican Choppers) but the message is always given by our Pastor Bill Hybels; we hold a carshow in our parking lot with custom cars, motorcycles, boats, etc.; we have games for kids andfamilies to participate in/with; we advertise on social media and local radio stations; in the past,though not this year, we have a live band performing in our parking lot. The whole thing is put onby our C.A.R.S. ministry (http://www.willowcreek.org/cars), which helps get the word out aboutthat ministry.­ Ian Philpot, Willow Creek Community Church

When we have special days we give stuff away ­ a BBQ for Father Day. Mothers day we gaveaway spa packages to a few moms. ­ Joel, Brooks Church of God

For Father's Day we have a Man­a­vile ... we have manly type activities for the Dads. Last yearour Man­a­vile included one of those sledge hammer ring the bell games, and a few other gamesgeared around the Dads. We will have a contest each service for 3 of the fathers up on stage. ­ Steve Drohan, Centerpoint Church

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This year our Minister Emerita will do a special sermon on "The Unique Power of Men." In herresearch, she has interviewed men of several generations and plans a dramatic skit during theservice. She acknowledges that the dynamics of men, women, and power are quite challenging. ­ Kathleen Ellis, First Unitarian Universalist Church­Houston

We celebrate mothers and fathers. Fathers serve the mothers on that weekend and the mothersserve the fathers. We celebrate family. ­ D. Samuel Madden, Resurrection New Covenant Church

For dad we are starting a series called Biblical Manhood. ­ Bobby Williams, Ridge Church

Mechanical bull, give away a grill each service, jalapeño eating contest with prize, lawn mowerriding contest, free throw contest. ­ Daniel McCabe, Legacy Church

Father Day... a game during announcements. ­ Damian McCrink, River City Church

Fathers Day we have kegs of root beer, popcorn, lazy boy chairs, and something fun in theservice. ­ Andy VomSteeg, New Vintage Church

For Father's Day this year we're kicking a "God At The Movies" series. Superman: Man of Steelis just too perfect for Father's Day. So, we're having our own "Man of Steel" competition.Father's submit their name then we draw 3 fathers in each service to compete. Firstcompetition is to see who can put down 1/2 dozon glazed donuts first. Then the top twocompete in a football throwing contest across the auditorium. All three father's win Fandango giftcards. ­ Scott Clevenger, Christ's Church Camden

For Father's Day, every dad gets a king sized candy bar and a numbered ticket. We use theticket to draw for prizes like gift cards to Outback, Bass Pro, gas cards, Mike's Carwash,coupon books, Car or truck detailing, devotional books, Bibles and DVD's. (In the past we gaveaway grills and lawnmowers ­ but everybody already had one they liked, so we scaled down andgave more smaller prizes). ­ Scott Gamel, New Hope Community Church

Mothers Day is the highest attended day besides Christmas and Easter in the American Church.We use both Mothers Day and Fathers Day as an outreach opportunity, ensuring fantasticprogramming that will draw families and lead to salvation/ life change. This year Pasty Clairmontspoke on Mothers Day; Carl Lentz is speaking Fathers Day. ­ Andrea, The Father’s House

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This year our stage will be set like a motorcycle garage, with real motorcycles set on the stageand at the front of the room. A group of guys will be hanging out at the garage discussing issuesthat men deal with, using the parts of a motorcycle to describe the characteristics of a man. Atone point a couple of the bikes will be ridden out of the room. We also offer a BBQ cook outfollowing our second worship service. ­ Greg Howse, Cornerstone

For Father's Day this year we're going all out with activities for Dad's & kids...NASCAR TireChanging, Nascar Driving, Basketball shooting, Buck Hunter game, rock climbing wall, footballtoss, Ring­the­Bell, bounce houses, popcorn, skeeball games, cotton candy, snow cones, givingaway a grill at each service in both campuses...should be fun. We're making it an event thatDad's will enjoy.­ Willie Matos, Church @ The Springs

For Father's day, we have a video about Father's Day, sports related game / activity during theservice, a gift and a small reception after church. Father's Day is sometimes a bit hard to planfor. But it's a work in progress and a day we need show appreciation. ­ Amanda, Emmanuel Church

We encourage dads rather than tell them how lousy they are. Then, on their way out they all geta frozen sirloin steak.­ Shawn Vandop, Promontory Ministries

Entire service program geared towards special holiday. Guest speakers. Big service openers.Handouts/Gifts. Big marketing/invite strategy. ­ Andrea D'Angelo, The Father's House

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Mother’s DayFor Mothers Day we normallydo some kind of "thank you"video to Moms and a gift. Inthe past, we have evencentered the message aroundit. ­ Carrie Evans, SouthbridgeFellowship

Mother's Day ­ We have aguest speaker come in (thisyear we had Nancy Ortberg);we decorate our lobby in aspecial way; we have roamingphotographers in our lobby to take pictures of moms and their families and then we make thepictures available for moms to download from a special page on our website; we ran a specialsocial media campaign with images of Willow moms(http://pinterest.com/willowcreekcc/mothers­day/); we had special snacks in our lobby(pineapple, poundcake, strawberries, etc.) that could be dipped in a chocolate fountain.­ Ian Philpot, Willow Creek Community Church

When we have special days we give stuff away ­ a BBQ for Father Day. Mother day we haveaway spa packages to a few moms. ­ Joel, Brooks Church of God

For Mother's Day we decorated the stage with flowers (loaned to us by our local Home Depot)and had give­a­ways/recognition for the newest Mom, the Mom with the most kids, theGrandmother with the most Grandchildren. We also had a picture opportunity with aprofessional photographer to have family pictures taken for free in a very nice setting.­ Steve Drohan, Centerpoint Church

Mother's Day we have elements where we incorporate kids. So usually a kids choir and thenursery age kids on video. We always kick off a family series with Mother's Day. Last year mywife and I spoke together and this year she spoke solo about moms, marriage and family. Wealso do free family photos and email the pics to the moms and tag everyone on Facebook (it alsohelps us update our church database pictures).­ Jeremy Isaacs, Mt Paran North Canton

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We celebrate mothers and fathers. Fathers serve the mothers on that weekend and the mothersserve the fathers. We celebrate family. ­ D. Samuel Madden, Resurrection New Covenant Church

Mother's Day we will either begin a new series that moms & family's will really benefit from or wedo a lot of extras. This year we had a photo booth & gave away free photos. ­ Bobby Williams, Ridge Church

Gave away a housecleaning in each service.Had a special area set up for moms only. Massage, drinks, etc. Spa feelCreated a man cave area for dads and kids to go and wait. Snacks and either a game on orDuck Dynasty (depending on day/time of service). ­ Daniel McCabe, Legacy Church

Message, poem, gift. ­ Damian McCrink, River City Church

Mothers day we will have a full brunch after each service, chocolate fountain, gifts for the moms,gifts during welcome to some special moms. ­ Andy VomSteeg, New Vintage Church

Mother's Day we do Family Portrait Sunday. We have a couple professional photographers inour community of believers so it doesn't cost a penny. We have 5x8 pics printed up (only cost$.38 each at Sam's Club) and available the following Sunday. Drives return traffic the Sundayafter Mother's Day. ­ Scott Clevenger, Christ's Church Camden

We choose one mother and give her a really nice gift, do a video, pictures of moms and family,and a message. ­ Robert Johnson, The Journey Church

For Mother's Day, we celebrate and recognize mothers in special ways. One year we gave arose to every mother, another year we had photographers set up and give family portraits (notsimply the session). ­ Daniel Thomas, Highlands Fellowship

Mothers Day is the highest attended day besides Christmas and Easter in the American Church.We use both Mothers Day and Fathers Day as an outreach opportunity, ensuring fantasticprogramming that will draw families and lead to salvation/ life change. This year Pasty Clairmontspoke on Mothers Day; Carl Lentz is speaking Fathers Day. ­ Andrea, The Father’s House

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For mother's day we have a small skit, video about mother's day, a raffle and a small receptionafter church. ­ Amanda, Emmanuel Church

Mother's Day is big. We honor moms and make a big deal. We pray for them and then wespecifically honor single moms. We pray for them and then have our people bless themfinancially in the service by giving the. Money. Very powerful. People cry all over the place. ­ Shawn Vandop, Promontory Ministries

Entire service program geared towards the special holiday. Guest speakers. Big serviceopeners. Handouts/Gifts. Big marketing/invite strategy. ­ Andrea D'Angelo, The Father's House

Family Portraits ­ Roscoe Lilly, NorthStar

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4th of JulyFor Fourth of July, we do an outreach event at the local fireworks show where we pass outwater, church info and glow sticks. ­ Carrie Evans, Southbridge Fellowship

On the 4th of July ­ our church is directly across a corn field from the town park where the bigfireworks show takes place ­ we've got the best seat in town, and our parking lot is always full atshowtime. A few years ago, we decided to leverage that, and began offering a free communitycookout. In the past we have served free hamburgers, hot dogs, Bar­b­que, and fixings toanybody who shows up. We have snow cones and water features for the kids, a bounce house,live music, horseshoes, and volleyball. Our student ministry gives away glo­stick bracelets. Wehave had 300­350 attend ­ not bad in a town of 2000 people! ­ Scott Gamel, New Hope Community Church

Martin Luther King Jr. DayNext year, we are planning a racial reconciliation day on MLK Day as part of our attempt to give apicture to our community (racially charged) of what that means for the Body of Christ. ­ Scott Marshall, Real Life Community

ThanksgivingOn Thanksgiving our entire service is about being thankful to God and we also serve a freecommunity Thanksgiving meal. ­ Michael Murray, United Christians Assembly

Thanksgiving is a big deal for us we usually team up with a generous individual who donates 100Turkeys and we then contact schools in the area and provide needy families with a Thanksgivingfeast. ­ Al, Commonground

We have a Bread Communion for Thanksgiving, in which people bring bread from their ownethnic heritage. Lifts of the diversity among us and gratitude for our myriad traditions. ­ Kathleen Ellis, First Unitarian Universalist Church­Houston

We shape the entire Thanksgiving Sunday worship and sermon around the theme of gratitudefor God's blessings. This includes the backgrounds on our slides, the songs, the Bible readingsand prayers. I use this time to emphasize this important character trait. ­ Mark, Bay City Wesleyan Church

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Testimonies...special service project...special all church gathering­ Rich Gay, Central

Memorial DayOn Memorial Day we honor those who have served our country...this year we allowed people totweet about loved ones who have served, and we scrolled the tweets throughoutpre/post­service. ­ Paul Miller, Bent Tree Bible Fellowship

We have an all musical patriotic service and lunch on the grounds with bounce house, snowcones, games... ­ Nicole Patteson, Monument Heights Baptist Church

Veteran’s DayVeteran's Day is one of those "in between" days for us. We like to make a strongacknowledgement because we have many veterans in our community. We don't use it fortriumphalism, however. We thank our vets and then talk about their sacrifice in the larger contextof the sacrifice of Christ. ­ Jim Govatos, Aloma UMC

We often pray for peace the week of Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in Canada) toacknowledge it and hold in tension of our anabaptist roots. Also we hand out MCC buttons at ourinfo tables the few weeks leading up that say... "To Remember is to work for peace." Peopleseem to like those and even a key military guy ordered them for all his military coworkers a yearor two ago.­ Sandra Nicholas, The Meeting House

OtherWe also do special themed hospitality refreshments for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day,Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas. ­ Steve Drohan, Centerpoint Church

Mother’s Day / Father’s Day / Thanksgiving ­ These are intergenerational services with lots ofparticipation by children, youth and adults. Some of children sing a song they have rehearsed.Sometimes it's less of a sermon and more of a play that unfolds throughout the service. ­ Erin Powers, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

While I don't have much input in the adult service, I do use holiday moments to celebrate

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volunteers within Children's ministry. For Mother's and Father's day I celebrate those who servewith some sort of corny gift. For mom's I gave them a bottle of nail polish with a tag that said"You're TOEriffic for serving in......" for dads who serve I'm giving them a bottle of steak spicewith an equally corny tag "thanks for being our secret ingredient in....

Other days in the summer we just party like rock stars in Children's ministry whether the adultscelebrate or not :)­ Shawna Lester, Connexus Church

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About Rich Birch.Thanks so much for dropping by unseminary … I hope that your able to find some resources that help youlead your church better in the coming days!

I’ve been involved in church leadership for over 15 years. Early on I had the privilege of leading in one of thevery first multisite churches in North Amerca. I led the charge in helping The Meeting House in Toronto tobecome the leading multi­site church in Canada with over 4,000 people in 6 locations. (Today they are 13locations with somewhere over 5,000 people attending.) In addition, I served on the leadership team ofConnexus Community Church in Ontario, a North Point Community Church Strategic Partner.

I currently serve as Operations Pastor at Liquid Church in the Manhattan facing suburbs of New Jersey.

I have a dual vocational background that uniquely positions me for serving churches to multiply impact.While in the marketplace, I founded a dot­com with two partners in the late 90’s that worked to increasevalue for media firms and internet service providers.

I speak at conferences like Orange, WFX and various regional multisite church events. I’m a featured writeron Auxano’s Vision Room, ChurchLeaders.com and MinistryBriefing.

I’m married to Christine and we live in Scotch Plains, NJ with our two kids and one dog.

unSeminary is a place to collect some thoughts about local church and doin’ stuff right in local church. Ireally am not a “know it all” or “expert” but really just somebody who has made a lot of mistakes inleadership and is attempting to pass along some learning so you don’t have to pay the “stooopid tax”.

“. . . helped us get the big picture and then got dirty in the details of making it happen.” ­ Bruxy Cavey,Teaching Pastor, The Meeting House

“ . . . ‘get­it’ factor on the kind of church we’re trying to become . . . has customized his approach to betailor made to our setting. We’re so grateful for his investment in helping us expand our Kingdom­buildingcapacity.” ­ Jeff Lockyer, Lead Pastor, Southridge Community Church

“ . . . I LOVE Rich’s experience­driven insight and people­focused approach . . . couldn’t be a better fit for usas we seek advice and feedback in accomplishing what we feel God is putting before us.” ­ Mike Leahy,Executive Director, Liquid Church

“… you have helped me bridge the gap between careful, strategic, logistical leadership and passionate lovefor Jesus and the people His forming.” ­Greg Hill, Executive Pastor, Living Faith Church

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